BWCA Trip Report - My first Solo - 8 Days In and a Rather Tough Exit Boundary Waters Trip Reports
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Pilgrimpaddler
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08/24/2018 04:18PM   (Thread Older Than 3 Years)
New Trip Report posted by Pilgrimpaddler

Trip Name: My first Solo - 8 Days In and a Rather Tough Exit .

Entry Point: 37

Click Here to View Trip Report
 
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08/24/2018 07:41PM  
So sorry about the loss of your mother while you were on the trip, pilgrim, as well as the other losses. I hope you've found some peace with all your losses and have brighter days ahead. I'm glad you had a good and successful trip with only the usual challenges and are eager to return.
andym
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08/24/2018 09:57PM  
My Mom is about the same age and is the last of our parents. So, I understand the feeling that things could happen while we aren’t available. And it is a good lesson to make sure our loved ones know how we feel. I’m so sorry that she passed while you were in but also will say that many of us need that time separated from civilization to feel whole and rejuvenated. So we take these risks. I hope on a future trip you have time to think of all three people you have lost. I’ve camped on that Malberg site a few times, once we were with my brother-in-law who passed away a few years ago. I don’t remember him catching much from shore there either. But he did catch a lot at Boze up the river and we also had an eagle who visited the site. He feasted on the fish guts. Your report reminded me of those good times.
bwcasolo
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08/25/2018 07:52AM  
nicely written and easy to follow you thru your week. get's me pumped for my fall trip. thanks.
Northwoodsman
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08/25/2018 07:03PM  
I enjoyed reading your trip report. It sounded relaxing and enjoyable. I've been through part of that area, I turned east on Polly and followed the Lady Lake Chain route back to Sawbill. We put in at #37 at 8:00 a.m. and it rained from the time we paddled away from the EP until sundown on Polly. Our gear didn't dry out all week. I'm sorry to hear about your mom, sister, friend, and dog.
pswith5
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08/25/2018 09:53PM  
thanks for sharing. sorry for your losses. I had a dog pass while I was on a trip about 15 years ago. I think of it every time I exit now. My father passed the last time we had a spring wiungnite gathering. Is there ever a good time?
08/26/2018 02:29PM  
I don't know you, pilgrimpaddler, but after reading your nice report, I know that I like you. I like your attitude about the BWCA, I like your attitude about life and family. I like the way you approached your trip; the way you learned from it, the way you didn't take unnecessary chances, even the way you went all that way back to retrieve something you had left behind!

I am sorry for the losses you experienced. Especially your sister and your friend, because those were no doubt untimely. And for your mother, too, but if she had a good life and raised good children (it appears that she did), then she was blessed. And to die in one's sleep at 87 is a blessing in itself. She knows that you loved her, and even though you didn't get a chance to say goodbye. . .in reality, it sounds like no one did.

Thanks for sharing your first solo with us. I hope you enjoy many more of them.
Cobra317
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08/27/2018 10:10AM  
Hi There Pilgrampaddler,

I enjoyed reading your report of your first Solo. Having just moved to the TC by myself nearly two years ago, and not knowing many people, I've often thought of Solo tripping. You have inspired me to give it a try! Luckily my co-worker from San Diego will be joining me on a trip in late September this year.

I am always up for meeting new people, let me know if you ever need a partner!

I'll bring the bourbon!

Cheers
Driftless
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08/27/2018 10:14AM  
Thanks for sharing your report. Sorry for your losses.
Pilgrimpaddler
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08/27/2018 11:00AM  
Thanks, Boonie! Other than the (mostly) unexpected losses, I've got a great life. Everyone experiences loss, it's part of life. I have so much to be grateful for that I won't complain. In addition to a great family and friends, I feel so very fortunate to live so close to the BWCA.
Pilgrimpaddler
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08/27/2018 11:27AM  
andym: "My Mom is about the same age and is the last of our parents. So, I understand the feeling that things could happen while we aren’t available. And it is a good lesson to make sure our loved ones know how we feel. I’m so sorry that she passed while you were in but also will say that many of us need that time separated from civilization to feel whole and rejuvenated. So we take these risks. I hope on a future trip you have time to think of all three people you have lost. I’ve camped on that Malberg site a few times, once we were with my brother-in-law who passed away a few years ago. I don’t remember him catching much from shore there either. But he did catch a lot at Boze up the river and we also had an eagle who visited the site. He feasted on the fish guts. Your report reminded me of those good times. "


Even "bad" times in the bdub are good times. No matter how tough things may appear, there's something about the wilderness that seems to put things into perspective.
Pilgrimpaddler
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08/27/2018 11:31AM  
bwcasolo: "nicely written and easy to follow you thru your week. get's me pumped for my fall trip. thanks."


Thanks for the compliment, bwca solo! I hope your fall trip will be a great one.
Pilgrimpaddler
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08/27/2018 11:32AM  
Northwoodsman: "I enjoyed reading your trip report. It sounded relaxing and enjoyable. I've been through part of that area, I turned east on Polly and followed the Lady Lake Chain route back to Sawbill. We put in at #37 at 8:00 a.m. and it rained from the time we paddled away from the EP until sundown on Polly. Our gear didn't dry out all week. I'm sorry to hear about your mom, sister, friend, and dog."


Thanks, North. I've been through Sawbill a couple times in the past but this was my first trip through Kawishiwi. It started feeling more remote once I got past Polly, but I really wish I had made it to Adams or Trail. Still, there's always the next trip.
Thwarted
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08/28/2018 05:17AM  
Those are some hard knocks you have been taking. I like your thinking though. Checking out is not an option, only moving forward. As I lose more friends many days are a bit softer and sadder but also sweeter. Glad you made the trip and thanks for the report.
cyclones30
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08/28/2018 09:15PM  
Glad to see you had a good trip and got that site on Malberg. We caught some good gills from there too, but the Louse was low when we were there.
 
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